PRESS RELEASE

Water Utilities Recognized for Future-Focused Initiatives

Alexandria, VA – Twenty-five water utilities have been selected for recognition of their leadership in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.

Utility of the Future Today recognition celebrates the achievements of forward-thinking, innovative water utilities that are providing resilient value-added service to communities.

The Utility of the Future framework provides a model for utilities of all sizes to achieve more efficient operations, enhanced productivity, and long-term sustainability. The recognition program component, Utility of the Future Today, was launched in 2016 by four water sector organizations—the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) and WateReuse, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Utility of the Future concept is being promoted as the nation’s water systems transform operations through innovation and technology. The 25 utilities recognized in 2017 are by recovering resources from wastewater, engaging in their community, forming unique partnerships, and building an internal culture of innovation.

NACWA CEO, Adam Krantz, congratulates the new recognition recipients, noting that "these utilities are doing incredible innovative work to advance our communities' and nation's environmental well-being and economic viability. Hopefully these utilities will inspire others to move forward to make the Utility of the Future the utility of today as well."

The following utilities are being recognized for the first time:

Atlantic County Utilities Authority (New Jersey)

Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (South Carolina)

Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer (North Carolina)

Chesterfield County Department of Utilities (Virginia)

City of Cape Coral (Florida)

Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority (Arkansas)

City of Phoenix (Arizona)

City of Quincy (Washington)

City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department (North Carolina)

City of St. Cloud (Minnesota)

Columbus Water Works (Georgia)

Greenville Renewable Water Resources (South Carolina)

Greenwood Metropolitan District (South Carolina)

Hanover Sewerage Authority (New Jersey)

Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (Pennsylvania)

Loudon Water (Virginia)

Lowell Regional Utility (Massachusetts)

West County Wastewater District (California)

These utilities are being recognized for a second year but for a new area of performance:

City of Fayetteville (Arkansas)

DC Water (District of Columbia)

Gwinnett County (Georgia)

King County (Washington)

Miami-Dade Water & Sewer (Florida)

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (California)

Tucson Water (Arizona)

Honorees will be recognized during an awards ceremony at WEFTEC 2017 this October in Chicago.

About NACWAFor nearly 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues. NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. Our unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for all member utilities, and ensures they have the tools necessary to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all. Our vision is to represent every utility as a NACWA member, helping to build a strong and sustainable clean water future. For more information, visit us at www.nacwa.org.

About WEF
The Water Environment Federation is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 34,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals, enrich the expertise of water professionals, increase the awareness of the impact and value of water, and provide a platform for water sector innovation. To learn more, visit www.wef.org.

About WE&RFThe Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) is a nonprofit (501c3) organization officially formed in July 2016 as the result of the merger of Water Environment Research Foundation and the WateReuse Research Foundation. The merged research foundation, with a combined research portfolio representing over $200 million, conducts research to treat and recover beneficial materials from wastewater, stormwater, and seawater including water, nutrients, energy, and biosolids. To learn more, visit www.werf.org.

WateReuse is an international thought-leader on alternative water supply development and the global go-to source for applied research, education, and advocacy on water reuse. Representing a coalition that includes utilities, government agencies, and industry; WateReuse works to educate policymakers and the public on the science, economic value, and environmental benefits of treating water to safely use it for designated purposes, such as irrigation, manufacturing, and drinking. To learn more, visit www.watereuse.org.